living and working in Portugal - a guide for foreigners

Currently, the minimum wage in Portugal is €760 in 2023, representing an increase of 7.8% from €705 in 2022. This figure corresponds to the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Wage, which is the legal minimum that companies must pay their employees.

Despite the pandemic crisis, the real average salary in Portugal, according to data from the Brighter Future study by the José Neves Foundation, grew 4.6% between 2019 and 2020, standing at €1,199 that year.

Salaries vary according to your experience, role, and sector.

Emotional salary refers to the non-monetary benefits provided by companies to their employees. While salary and financial benefits are important, such as health insurance or food allowance, emotional salary has gained prominence as a differentiator in attracting and retaining talent.

In Portugal, companies offer benefits such as flexible working hours (promoting work-life balance), remote working, health insurance, educational support for children, leisure spaces in the workplace, and assistance in professional training.

Through the Randstad Employer Brand Research study, carried out annually, it is possible to understand which factors are most attractive to the Portuguese, but also which benefits are being offered by companies, and which are the most attractive companies to work for in Portugal.

Foreigners who stay in Portugal for more than 183 days in a calendar year are considered tax residents and are subject to taxation in Portugal on worldwide income. It is important to correctly determine your tax residence in order to fulfil the appropriate tax obligations.

When you arrive in Portugal, you must apply for a Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF - “Tax Identification Number” in english) at the Tax Office. The NIF is essential for dealing with tax matters, such as tax returns.

Find out more about how to apply for a tax identification number (NIF) on the Portuguese government website.

Alongside your TIN (NIF, in portuguese), you will need to have a Número de Identificação da Segurança Social (NISS - “Social Security Identification Number” in english), which will be issued when you register with Social Security. The NISS will give you access to rights, such as support and allowances, and will enable you to fulfil your contribution obligations.

Workers in Portugal are subject to Social Security contributions, which fund social benefits such as health insurance, retirement and unemployment insurance. It is important that you understand the contribution rates and associated benefits.

Find out more about how you can apply for a social security identification number (NISS) on the Portuguese government website.

The Imposto sobre o Rendimento de Pessoas Singulares (IRS) is the personal income tax in Portugal. Tax residents in Portugal are required to file an IRS declaration annually, where they must declare their income, and pay the corresponding taxes. It is important to understand the rules and the different categories of income subject to tax.

Portugal offers a special tax regime for non-habitual residents (RNH - “residentes não habituais), i.e. those who are considered tax residents in Portugal but have not been tax residents for the last five years. This regime may allow favourable taxation of certain types of income, such as pensions and income from foreign sources, for a period of 10 years.

Portugal has double taxation agreements with many countries to avoid double taxation on income. These agreements can provide tax benefits to avoid taxation in both countries.

• Job Seeker Visa or Portugal Work Visa

Don't have a work contract yet or are you in the process of signing one? If you are in one of these scenarios, you’ll need this visa, as it:

• entitles its holder to enter and remain in Portuguese territory for the purpose of seeking work;
• and authorises you to engage in dependent employment until the expiry of the visa or until the residence permit is granted.

It is granted for a period of 120 days, and can be extended for another 60 days, i.e. you will have a total of 180 days to look for work. This visa can only be issued once per person.

The issuance of this visa presupposes an appointment at the competent services for the granting of the residence permit (SEF - Portuguese Immigration and Border Service), within the validity period of 120 days (or 180 if you request an extension) of the visa, and gives the applicant, after the constitution and formalisation of the employment relationship in that period, the right to apply for a residence permit.

To obtain a work permit, you must apply for it at the consulate or embassy in your country of origin. You will need to submit the following documents:

1. National visa application form duly completed and signed by the applicant;
2. Two (2) identical passport-sized photographs, up-to-date and in good condition to identify the applicant (1 glued to the form);
3. Passport or other travel document, valid for more than three months after the expected date of return. Copy of the biographical page;
4. Proof of legal status if you are of a nationality other than that of the country where you are applying for a visa, valid for 3 months after the expected date of return;
5. Valid travel insurance to cover necessary expenses for medical reasons, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation;
6. Criminal record certificate issued by the competent authority of your country of nationality or the country where you have been residing for more than one year, with Hague Apostille (if applicable) or legalised;
7. Application for consultation of the Portuguese criminal record by the Foreigners and Borders Service;
8. Copy of return transport ticket;
9. Proof of the availability of financial resources in the amount of at least three times the value of the guaranteed minimum monthly wage.
10. Proof of the availability of financial resources may be replaced by the presentation of a term of responsibility with a recognised signature, signed by a Portuguese citizen or a qualified foreign citizen, with a residence document in Portugal, who has financial resources in the amount of at least EUR 2,280, which guarantees the food and accommodation of the visa applicant, as well as the replacement of the costs of removal, in case of irregular stay;
11. Declaration indicating the conditions of the intended stay.
12. Proof of submission of a declaration of expression of interest for registration with the IEFP, submitted online.

Find out more on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

• residence permit for the exercise of a subordinate professional activity and the expression of interest

Currently, and due to the large flow of requests made to SEF - Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, SEF itself has admitted that workers who have filed an expression of interest can start working, since it is not feasible for the worker and the company to wait indefinitely for the validation of the process to be able to start the exercise of the activity.

Thus, if you do not have a valid visa and if you have not submitted the expression of interest before 1 January 2023, this will be the most appropriate route.

In order to submit the expression of interest, you must submit the following documentation on the SAPA portal:

1. Passport or other valid travel document;
2. Proof of regular entry into Portuguese territory (possession of a valid visa, when required, or entry into Portugal within the visa exemption period);
3. Proof of means of subsistence, as provided for in Ordinance no. 1563/2007, of 11/12;
4. Criminal record certificate from the country of origin;
5. Criminal record certificate of the country in which you have been residing for more than one year (when it is not Portugal);
6. Authorisation to consult the Portuguese criminal record by SEF;
7. Document proving that you have accommodation;
8. Proof of registration and regularised situation before Social Security, except in the case of a promise of employment contract;
9. Proof of registration with the Tax Administration;
10. Employment contract or employment relationship proven by trade union, by representative of migrant communities with a seat in the Council for Migration or by the Authority for Labour Conditions; or Promise of employment contract.

Note: the Expression of Interest must be made under paragraph 2 of article 88 of law 23/2007, of 4 September (subordinate activity).

The holder of a residence permit for study who intends to exercise a subordinate or independent professional activity must notify SEF with a request to replace the permit, accompanied by the work promise contract, the service provision contract or the tax declaration of commencement of activity. SEF will issue a new residence permit and communicate this replacement to ACT, the Tax Administration and Social Security.

You can find more information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Did you know that a foreign citizen with a valid residence permit has the right to family reunification with family members who are outside the national territory?

According to Article 107(1) of Law 23/2007 of 4 July:

• The family member who holds a visa issued under Article 64 or who is in national territory having had the application for family reunification granted, is granted a residence permit of the same duration as the resident.
• The family member of the holder of a permanent residence permit is issued a residence permit, valid for two years, renewable for successive periods of three years.

To apply for family reunification, you need to make an appointment with SEF - Portuguese Immigration and Border Service, and deliver, in person, a form signed by you, the applicant/holder of the right to family reunification. You can present this form and all the necessary documentation at any SEF office, which will then forward the application to the regional directorate or delegation in your area of residence for analysis and decision.

Therefore, before your family member(s) go to a Consular Post to apply for a residence visa for the purpose of family reunification, you should go to SEF to request that the family reunification in favour of your family members be granted. As soon as you are notified of the favourable decision, your family members can apply for a residence visa.

You can find more information on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or SEF.

As established in Law no. 37/2006, of 9 August, citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area have the right to enter, stay and reside in Portugal, as well as their family members, regardless of nationality. This also applies to family members of Portuguese citizens, regardless of their nationality.

The following are considered family members

• the spouse of a Union citizen;
• the partner with whom a Union citizen lives in a de facto union, constituted under the law, or with whom the Union citizen has a permanent relationship duly certified by the competent authority of the Member State where he/she resides;
• a direct descendant who is under 21 years of age or who is a dependant of a Union citizen;
• the direct ascendant (father, mother or guardian) who is dependent on a Union citizen, as well as that of the spouse or partner.

You can find more information on the SEF website.

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• front-end developer
• full stack developer
• back-end developer
• software developer
• ux designer
• web developer

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• digital marketing manager
• public relations specialist
• seo specialist
• social media manager

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• barista
• cook
• waiter

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• production assistant
• electrician
• electrical engineer
• mechanical engineer
• operations manager
• product manager
• machine operator
• warehouse operator
• cnc operator
• forklift operator
• production operator
• factory operator
• welder
• supervisor
• logistics technician
• maintenance technician
• mechatronics technician

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• customer support assistant
• customer service supervisor
• shop assistant
• customer support
• team leader

Here are some careers you can pursue in this sector:

• business analyst
• financial analyst
• accountant
• financial consultant
• financial controller

At Randstad, you don't need to send a CV, however, if you are going to apply directly to a vacancy on the client's website, take note of the tips we share in these articles:

25 quick tips for a successful CV

first job: what to put on your CV when you don't have any work experience yet?

personalised CV? Yes!

If you want to send a cover letter (it's rare that it's still necessary), make sure you tailor your profile to the local market, highlighting your relevant skills and experience - see here for the 3 key elements of a good cover letter and check out this article to learn how to use AI to create your personalised cover letter.

If you're looking for tips on how to prepare for job interviews in Portugal, make sure to explore these articles:

7 tips for job interviews: how to prepare

6 types of interviews and how to succeed in all of them

storytelling - how to use it in a job interview?

the importance of body language in the digital interview

Portuguese culture is rich in traditions that are valued and passed down from generation to generation, from gastronomy to the most varied festivities.

The cuisine is an essential part of the culture, with traditional dishes including codfish, sardines, sausages such as alheira, and typical cheeses. You're guaranteed to eat well anywhere in the country, and sampling the local cuisine is a great way to immerse yourself in Portuguese culture.

You'll realise that we're a country that loves music and partying, whether it's carnival (end of February), santos populares (in June), throughout the summer (chances are there's a party in a different village/town every weekend!), São Martinho (November), or Christmas and New Year's Eve. Look for the cultural diaries of the city or region where you plan to live and start making plans!

Working hours in Portugal are generally from 9am to 6pm, with a lunch break.

There are several national holidays, and some municipal ones, and it is common for companies to close on these dates, with exceptions of course. Keep track of these dates with the help of a Portugal calendar.

Be aware of local traditions, such as the celebrations of the popular saints mentioned above (St Anthony, St Peter, and St John), which are popular festivities in some regions and may imply changes in business hours.

Learning the Portuguese language is key to adapting to the labour market in Portugal. Many Portuguese speak English, but having a basic knowledge of Portuguese shows an interest in integrating into the local culture and is an advantage when looking for a job.

Nevertheless, we have several job vacancies for multilingual profiles, for people who speak one or more languages in addition to Portuguese, or even who, not speaking Portuguese, speak other foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, or Italian.

The cost of living in Portugal is relatively affordable compared to other European countries, however, it is recommended that before coming to Portugal you research the housing options, transport and public services available in the various cities where you would like to settle, so that you can better build a budget and plan for your stay.

For EU applicants

• proof of TIN
• proof of NISS if you have already been assigned a number (not a priority, since you can ask for it later)
• certificate of residence of the parish counsil (junta de freguesia) of the area of residence
• EU citizen certificate

For candidates outside the EU:

• proof of TIN
• proof of NISS if you have already been assigned a number (not a priority, since you can ask for it later)
• certificate of residence of the parish counsil (junta de freguesia) of the area of residence
• passport
• visa
• entry stamp for Portugal or the schengen area
• expression of interest or title of residence

Find out more details, know other special cases, and discover how to obtain these documents in the section Visas to live and work in Portugal: mandatory documentation to have a residence permit further up on this page.

If you are a citizen of outside the European Union or the Schengen Area and you are still planning to come to Portugal, you can start by applying for a Job seeker Visa (or Portugal Work Visa).

Find out more details, know other special cases, and discover how to obtain these documents in the section Visas to live and work in Portugal: mandatory documentation to have a residence permit further up on this page.

Two mandatory documents for all cases are the Tax Identification Number (NIF) and the Social Security Number (NISS).

In addition to these, if you are already in Portugal and you’re of another state outside the Schengen area or the European Union, you’ll need to request an expression of interest.

If you are a citizen of the European Union or the Schengen Area, you just need to have your identification with you and request a residence certificate at the municipal council in your area of residence in Portugal.

Find out more details, know other special cases, and discover how to obtain these documents in the sections working in portugal: rights, salaries, benefits and tax aspects and visas to live and work in Portugal: mandatory documentation to have a residence permit further up on this page.

Go to a Tax Service office to ask for a tax identification number (NIF).

If you are not yet a resident of Portugal, you must bring your identification document and the address of your country of origin.

Find out more about the importance of having a tax identification number (NIF) and how to request it in the section working in portugal: rights, salaries, benefits and tax aspects further up this page.

You can find job opportunities in Portugal on job sites, recruitment agencies, on the websites of the companies themselves, and on professional social networks.

At Randstad Portugal we have a wide range of vacancies available, in different sectors of activity and for different skills and qualifications. Here you can find temporary and permanent job vacancies, with an employment contract with us or directly with the client.

In addition to using job sites, professional social networks (such as LinkedIn), and recruitment agencies, participate in networking events to expand your network of professional contacts. Follow these 12 tips to make networking less awkward.

Attend this workshop with experts (in Portuguese) to learn more about how to work your digital presence and develop a career plan:

To prepare a resume and cover letter in Portuguese, be sure to adapt your profile to the local market, highlighting your relevant skills and experience. It is important to be clear, concise and use professional language.

Check out these articles for more success tips:

cover letter - the 3 key elements

25 quick tips for a successful resume

first job: what to put on your cv when you don't have professional experience yet?

custom resume? Yes!

Yes, learning the local language, Portuguese, is a significant advantage when looking for a job in Portugal. This demonstrates commitment to the country and facilitates integration into the work culture and local society, in addition to opening the door to more job opportunities.

However, we have several job opportunities that do not require knowledge of the Portuguese language. It is, however, important to have a good level of English to be part of multicultural teams and to support different markets (multilingual job offers).

If you know how to speak Portuguese, you will have access to several careers and functions existing in Portugal. Access our encyclopaedia of careers to find out about some of the roles you can play here.

If you don't speak the local language, but you do speak English and/or other foreign languages, there are several careers where you can find employment, such as customer service, social media management, content reviewer, or customer support.

Explore the currently booming sectors in Portugal further up this page in the section Working in Portugal: job sectors on the rise.

In 2023, the minimum wage in Portugal is 760 euros.

Know what other benefits, in addition to salary, you can receive in a job in Portugal in the section working in portugal: rights, salaries, benefits and tax aspects above on this page.

In 2023, the average salary in Portugal is around €1,200. Depending on the sector of activity and the functions you end up performing, you may receive more or less than this value.

Know what other benefits, in addition to salary, you can receive in a job in Portugal in the section working in portugal: rights, salaries, benefits and tax aspects above on this page.